In what might be a brief respite from stormy conditions on the Ijsselmeer, the SPA Olympic classes regatta at Medemblick managed to run most of its scheduled races yesterday. Ireland's three Olympic candidates were in action, with good results achieved.

Tom Fitzpatrick and David McHugh have stormed up the 470 fleet following a greatly improved set of results yesterday. A 26th place plus a ninth have bounced the pair up to 17th overall. The second race of the day was postponed to the next scheduled start due to a wind shift and the course officials opted only to sail the third race. Laser single-hander Jon Lasenby has also staged an impressive recovery in his class. Having finished 99th on the opening day, he moved to 87th after day two to 43rd yesterday. An eleventh, a 16th and 14th will see him reach the gold fleet of his class if he can maintain this form.

Europe class sailor Maria Coleman, who has already qualified for the national squad, ended day three slightly frustrated. She is still holding eighth place overall but had high hopes of moving up the class. A seventh and two fifth places yesterday continued her run of consistent top-10 results but were insufficient against her close rivals.

Last night at the regatta centre venue, organisers were warning competitors to ensure their boats and equipment were well secured as storm warnings were issued for overnight and today. Racing may again be cancelled and organisers will not re-sail lost races. Such an outcome could prove decisive for Fitzpatrick and McHugh as well as Lasenby. Both boats have qualified their respective classes for the Olympics but need top 12-results from either this event or both of the next two remaining grade one regattas to complete their qualification.